JRP 07-11

Partners

EC-JRC-ITU

UNIMAN

CEA

Contact

Prof. Roberto Caciuffo
European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements. Postfach 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
E-mail e-mail

Exploring Actinide Molecular Magnetism

Status

 
Terminated - Planned from October 2007 till October 2008

Goals

While there are considerable investigations of the magnetic behaviour of solid state actinide materials, investigation of the behaviour of discrete molecules of actinides are much less well-developed. Such investigations should allow more detailed insight into phenomena such as multipolar coupling between 5f-ions, and may produce polymetallic compounds with unusual properties such as slow relaxation of magnetisation.
The project brings together three leading synthetic groups who will produce the new compounds, a team of physicists at ITU for detailed measurements and a group of theoretical physicists who will interpret results and suggest new synthetic targets. Within the duration of this project, it is much more foreseen to conduct an exploratory research and bring the fundamentals to develop a longer project than to complete the full project.

Expected results

Expected impact on applied issues in the field of nuclear fission energy

An immediate and direct impact on nuclear energy fission is not truly expected. However, the chemistry work will certainly lead to important development and understanding of the actinide chemistry that may have an influence on more applied program. Similarly, the physics and theoretical work should also have an impact on the understanding of the material properties and contribute the development of designing materials with targeted properties.

Expected impact on long term integration

The esoteric electronic structure and magnetic behaviour of the 5f-ions have been investigated in solid state materials, but not at all thoroughly in molecular complexes. However, such a task is far beyond the expertise of one group/institution and the partners involved here bring all the necessary skills to jointly begin this task. The initial studies will inevitably attract attention from other synthetic chemists involved in ACTINET, and we believe will lead to further complexes being studied over the longer term, bringing together the chemistry and physics communities.

Reports